The familiar words spill off the page, falling onto my lap. What? Really? Joy is your will for me? It sounds like pollyanna pretense. It is not how I imagine your will to be, I protest, scooping the words into my hands. Continual joy, prayer and thanksgiving? I hold the words up to you because I cannot do this, your will, without your help. Please, show me how. And so … [Read more...] about Your Will

The land stretches far, moving beyond horizons on every side, lying flat, receptive, beneath the great sky. Broken open by farmers’ plow prepared to drink in rain and sun and yield the staff of life. We call these vast open spaces, these majestic plains, the Heartland. And I think, as I fly above them in my mind’s eye, how life’s changes and challenges stretch me. And how you … [Read more...] about Open Spaces

“I know things aren’t perfect,” she said as an aside, judging the imperfections she observed by harsh standards she holds herself and others to. The wonder, that I noticed with quiet celebration, Lord, was my ability to embrace this truth with gratitude. Not perfect. Yes. But no shame. Only quiet joy. Messy. Healing still. Not perfect. Yet perfectly loved by you. And … [Read more...] about Perfectly Loved

I feel the downward pull, the pout brewing, the demands building, wanting to hang onto what was never mine. I watch as this happens. How I let go and let go only to want to grasp again in selfish greed that would wound us all. Grant me strength to stay with the ache of missing. Grant me the trust of a small child to bow to your will and way in this season of … [Read more...] about The Ache of Missing

For early morning light coming in sideways, waking day lilies, for neon-blue-breasted hummingbird, feeding on golden hibiscus, for towering maple, laden with summer’s deep green foliage, thank you. For breezes playing wind chimes and cooling skin, for violin concerto in the flight of the fly, for quiet delighting with you at the start of this new day, thank … [Read more...] about First Thanks

Skin and muscle have come loose from their moorings starting their descent back to earth’s dark womb. While spirit raises joyful child arms heaven ward stretching with awe and wonder toward your loving light. ------ Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who sustains you. I have made you and I will carry you, I will sustain you and I will rescue … [Read more...] about Returning

Thank you for palm trees swaying, fountain flowing, ocean breezes blowing, out the window as I hear I am five years, cancer free. Thank you for three year old singing, nine year old fishing, nearby family visiting, in this new community that is becoming their own. Thank you for grace while waiting, loan finally closing, keys soon opening the blessed place he will now call … [Read more...] about Today’s Praise